Cinched Ear Warmer Headband (Free Pattern!)

February 13, 2014

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Thank you to Lion Brand for providing the yarn for this pattern sample.

Today’s pattern is so super easy and fast, and since winter around here seems to have no intentions of going away any time soon, it’s the perfect cold weather accessory when you don’t quite want to commit to a hat. The cinch makes it so versatile – you can wear the cinched part on top of your head or off to the side, or even underneath your ponytail. Give this cinched ear warmer / headband crochet pattern a try!

Pattern Permissions

This is a FREE pattern, and by using it, you're agreeing to the following legally-protected conditions.
You're welcome to sell what you make with it; for online listings, please link back to my blog using something like this:

Pattern by
Little Monkeys Crochet
littlemonkeyscrochet.com

Here are the “do nots”:

Do not resell the pattern, altered or in its original form.

Do not copy and paste the pattern onto your own blog, in a Facebook group, or anywhere else. Simply link to this page instead. Anything beyond this is copyright theft, regardless of what your pattern-sharing buddies tell you. 🙂

Do not pull any of my photos from this site (or any of my other sites) for your own use. The exception to this is if you want to share my article link(s) on your own blog; in this case, you are welcome to take one photo per post for use on your site as long as it is accompanied by a direct link back to my post.

A NOTE ABOUT PRINTING: My patterns no longer show up when accessed via PrintFriendly.com. (This is out of my control; please see my FAQs for more info.) If you wish to print this pattern (for personal use only), you can copy & paste it into a text editing document, or purchase the inexpensive PDF (see pattern info, below).

Notes:(1) This pattern is written in American Standard terms.(2) Starting chains do not count as stitches.(3) This pattern is easily adjusted to any head size. 62 STS was perfect for me, but you might want to wrap the first round around your head as you go to get the perfect fit for you.

With H hook,

Round 1: FDC* 62. Join to first FDC, being careful not to twist the row. (*FDC stands for Chainless Foundation Double Crochet, and you can find the tutorial here. Or, just Ch 63, DC in second Ch from hook and DC across. But seriously, go learn Chainless Foundation stitch. It's way cooler.)

Round 2: Ch 1; HDC in each St around. Join. (62 HDC)

Round 3: Ch 2; DC in each St around. Join. (62 DC)

Rounds 4-7: Repeat rounds 2-3 two more times.

Cut your yarn, leaving about a 12" tail, and finish off but don't weave in the tail. Use your yarn needle to sew up the first round of FDCs, then weave in that tail and cut.

To Cinch:

1. Thread the long tail through your yarn needle. Gather the seamed section of the headband, and fold in half so that the fold is facing you.

2. Bring either side up to the top of the fold and hold secure with your fingers.

3. Run your yarn needle through all three sections of gathered material. The closer you get to the surface, the better your cinch will look; so I run mine right under the top loops of the outer sections, and under just a few strands of the center fold.

4. Wrap the yarn around the underside of the cinch, then through the sections again. Do this a few times to secure the cinch, then tie off underneath and weave in the tail.

When I originally wrote this pattern, I included the "selfies" below because I didn't have any modeled photos of the pattern. Now that I have them, I still can't bring myself to delete this photo, because my littlest monkey was just so... little. I love looking at that paci-face.

Pattern Permissions

This is a FREE pattern, and by using it, you’re agreeing to the following legally-protected conditions.

You’re welcome to sell what you make with it; for online listings, please link back to my blog using something like this:

Pattern by
Little Monkeys Crochet
littlemonkeyscrochet.com

Here are the “do nots”:

Do not resell the pattern, altered or in its original form.

Do not copy and paste the pattern onto your own blog, in a Facebook group, or anywhere else. Simply link to this page instead. Anything beyond this is copyright theft. You are welcome to copy/paste it into a document for printing, for personal use only.

Do not pull any of my photos from this site (or any of my other sites) to promote yourself or your crochet business on your own blog, Facebook page, or anywhere else. The exception to this is if you want to share my article link(s) on your own blog; in this case, you are welcome to take one photo per post for use on your site as long as it is accompanied by a direct link back to my post and does not include any portion of the pattern itself.

Do not post a translation of the pattern anywhere – this is copyright theft. If you would like to help make a translation available, I am happy to publish it on my blog with a link to your blog or Crochet-related Facebook page.

Do not make a video tutorial of this pattern (or any of my patterns). For a detailed explanation of why this hurts designers, please contact me.

I welcome all comments and questions as long as they are spoken with kindness, and I will always try to extend the same respect to you with my replies. If I feel your comment is inappropriate or unnecessarily hurtful, it may be deleted at my discretion.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: I’ve just given birth to my 3rd little monkey, a baby boy named Henry James, on 12/28/16. I may be slow at responding to messages and greatly appreciate your patience during this time of transition. I’m not disappearing, but I may not be able to help you as quickly as you need it. – Rebecca 🙂

TY for this pattern. Soooo simple and quick. I’ve been teaching myself to crochet and this is a quick project that made me feel great to accomplish. Made it for my daughter with matching fingerless wrist warmers, she’s going to love.

I really like this headband. I would love tp make it.
I will make it and take some pics. I will put a link tp your site on my blog.
i love crocheting. I just started my blog. I get inspired when I see people like you sharing your craft. I hope I get to share with others as well.
thank you.

I’m sorry to hear that. Unfortunately I don’t think you’ll find much help in other patterns, unless you find an actual video tutorial that walks you through it. My patterns are written in standard crochet language.

If you’re looking to learn the basics, I have a page on my main menu called “learn to crochet” that can point you to some resources that I think are the best out there. 🙂

Hi Michele! Joining just means you are connecting the row to make a circle. So you’ll slip stitch into the top of the very first stitch that you made, and then your ends will be connected. Then, you’ll proceed with the next round. 🙂

I was able to whip this out in one night (for me that is miraculous!). I can’t wait to wear it to go running tomorrow. I also think I’m going to be make a few as Christmas presents. Thanks for the great pattern to follow! Merry Christmas!

Awesome! Finished this pattern in a night. Going to make great Christmas presents! Moving on to your infinity scarf now!
One question: when you finished to headbands last row, how did you end the stitches? Do i just add a slip stitch to the end with a long tail?
Thank you for sharing such awesome patterns! <3

This is such a great pattern. I’ve made it for my granddaughter,in her school colors along with boot cuffs and a scarf. Thanks so much for posting. I have been crocheting for more years than I care to count and you have made the wise old saying come true…you are never too old to learn something new…Thank you.

I was just thinking of this headband today! I’m going to make your chunky cowl and thought this would be the perfect accessory to it. shhhh, I’m a little old to wear the cute flowers on the headbands and this is a perfect solution 🙂 Will have to play with it since I’ll be using hometown yarn, but that’s ok!

How many would your starting chain be for kids? I crochet, loom, and sew for a charity. I would like to do these for kids if you can help. This seems to be good for adults and teenagers. Thanks for your time,
Sue

I made these but I added a flower or a large bow. The first couple I made I attached the flower or bow to the headband. Then I got smart I started sewing pins to the back of the flower or bow so that they could be changed out.

Hello! I found this pattern and fell in love with the simplicity of it. I attempted to subscribe to you and your blog so that I can receive more wonderful patterns but, the button is not working for me. Help? -Catie

I just thread the tail through my yarn needle and literally sew the edge of the first stitch to the edge of the last stitch. I’m not a sewing expert so I don’t really know what the technical terminology would be… I just go back and forth until round 1 looks joined, then knot it and weave in the end. I hope that helps 🙂

Thank you for this pattern…. I will be making these for our church bazaar and the proceeds will go to the kids ministry for camp scholarships …. Most of all thanks for the tutorial On the chain less foundation…. It’s awesome!!!! Love your blog post as well…..Margo

Not sure off the top of my head, but here’s how I would figure it out: I would look up a head sizing chart on Pinterest, and go by that. Just be sure to subtract an inch or so to account for stretch. And definitely do fewer rounds. 🙂

I just finished this and love the ease and speed of the pattern! Thank you for the tips got the Foundation DC chain…what a timesaver.
I followed the directions as is but mine came out a bit loose. Would you recommend a size G hook or cutting down on the amount of dc per row?

Either method would work! Going down a hook size will be more guesswork, though (it might fit, it still might not). The easiest way to do it is to make your first row, and actually wrap it around your head (pulling it taut) to see if it fits, then add or subtract FDCs as needed. 🙂

I can’t thank you enough for this beautiful pattern!!! I’m crocheting one for all of my nieces for Christmas!! I used the Homespun yarn and it turned out so beautiful!!! I wish I could send you a picture, but not sure how! 🙂

Hi Rebecca. Congratulations on your little boy! May he be a great source of joy for you and your family. Thank you for this great pattern. I have made so many of them and am completely addicted. I am struggling with the most recent headband that I am working on. The foundation row seems a lot tighter than the rest of the headband. I have redone it multiple times and adjusted my tension. I cannot seem to get it right. I am working with Elle Pure Gold Chunky (it’s acrylic as I am allergic to wool). I have made in acrylic before as well as 100% cotton and cotton blends and it has come out fine then. Would really appreciate your help when you get a chance. Many thanks

Considering you’ve done the pattern multiple times with no issue, I honestly don’t know what the problem would be with the current one. If the only factor you’re changing is the yarn, then it must be something about that yarn that causes you to pull the foundation row tighter. My suggestion would be to use a different hook (the next size up) for that row. Good luck!

This has been a super easy pattern to follow! Thanks! However, I’ve never heard of “sewing. Up” the foundation chain? It’s one of the last instructions: “Use your yarn needle to sew up the first round of FDCs” Can you explain what this means? (I’m probably just overthinking it)? Thanks in advance!

Hello! I am pretty new to crochet but I recently finished your malia beanie and am looking for a new project! I love the way you format toe directions and videos. I do have one question. Your directions say FDC- foundation half double crochet. I just want to confirm whether it’s a foundational double crochet or half double crochet. Thanks in advance!

I have crocheted your infinity mix-it-up infinity scarf. It was pretty easy. On your web page I noticed you had the dark green scarf and the dark green hat. Do you have the pattern for the hat. II couldn’t tell if it was a closed hat or a hat with an opening for a ponytail. Would like for you to give me the name of the hat and pattern because it looks like the same stitching as the infinity scarf.

I'm Rebecca, a wife, mom, and tryer-of-new-crafty-things. I love to crochet, and I try to design patterns that the younger generations will love to make and love to wear. You can get to know me a little more here!